Erftstadt in flood chaos: cleaning up and help on site

Erftstadt in flood chaos: cleaning up and help on site

Westhoven, Deutschland - In Erftstadt, the last clean-up work in Herrig after the devastating flood from last weekend, which raged on May 31 on North Rhine-Westphalia, have now shown their first progress. According to Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger, the basement of the affected residents are already empty and the construction dryer of the Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund (ASB) are already used. Mayor Michael Vieth announced that the worst clean -up work was completed on Sunday, June 1st. In order to bring a good bit of normality back to the affected areas, the garbage collection by the Remondis company is planned for Tuesday, June 3,

The severe storms not only hit the Lechenich and Liblar districts. Streets were sometimes impassable and numerous basements were over. Mayor Carolin Weitzel and local mayor Vieth actively supported the residents in this difficult situation. "We are experiencing a strong cohesion in the village community, especially by the farmers who have offered their help," said Vieth. Despite the damage, there was also positive news, because only two to three buildings were affected so much that the residents have to think about moving.

Pension for future flood events

Local politics has started work statutes in view of these flood events. The CDU calls for an extensive package of measures to provide heavy rain, which should include an improvement in the sewer infrastructure and the creation of rainwater residues. "We have to do justice to our responsibility and support the citizens in implementing flood protection measures," explains a CDU spokesman. The measures for heavy rain prevention could sometimes be promoted up to 80 percent, which will certainly make many citizens easier.

The City of Erftstadt started processing a municipal flood protection concept in 2023. This runs over a planned duration of three years and includes the integration of the public. The aim is to ensure a sustainable improvement in technical flood protection in the Erft catchment area and its secondary waters. When preparing the concept, great importance is placed on the consideration of local conditions and the experiences obtained from past flood events.

climate change and its consequences

The flood in Erftstadt is another example of how strongly the probability of such weather extreme has increased through the climate crisis. According to the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Security (BMU), weather extremes such as heavy rain and floods in Germany are increasingly noticeable. A new climate adaptation law, which comes into force on July 1, 2024, gives the countries the obligation to develop nationwide climate adaptation concepts in municipalities. It is expected that this will also help Erftstadt to be better prepared for such natural events in the long term.

"We are responsible for acting for both our citizens and the environment," emphasizes a spokesman for the BMU. Innovative concepts such as the idea of ​​the 'sponge city', where water is also stored in unsealed areas for drought time, is becoming increasingly important. Such measures can reduce the risk of flooding.

The residents of Erftstadt are required, but the community is ready to face the challenges. A positive turn can be achieved with commitment and a sharp awareness of the future dangers of climate change.